NIL and the growth of college baseball are getting more kids to campus nowadays, and this year's deep class of position players continues that trend. There was a very clear theme here, with many of the most advanced bats from around the country deciding to test their chops against the strongest pitching they've seen in power conferences. Unsurprisingly, the SEC leads the way with five names, including #1, while the ACC and Big 12 follow up with three apiece. Following another recent trend, incoming freshman are getting older and older – seven of the twelve players on this list had already turned 19 by the time the 2024 draft rolled around in July, making them sophomore eligible in 2026 as they're more age appropriate for college sophomores than incoming freshman. The trend is unsurprising, as many of these top prospect had multi-million dollar offers thrown their way and going to school could risk that, so two years might be more palatable than three knowing they'll have plenty of leverage in that sophomore season.
In parentheses before the position is their rank on my personal 2024 draft board. In parentheses after the school is the year they will be draft eligible again. Note, these rankings are purely based off my 2024 draft rankings and do not incorporate fall practice performance.
1. (#48) SS Tyler Bell, Kentucky (2026)
Drafted – CBB round (pick #66), Tampa Bay Rays.
Kentucky thought it was losing the crown jewel of its recruiting class when the Rays drafted Tyler Bell in the second competitive balance round, but the two sides could not come to a deal and he'll indeed come to Lexington. That makes Bell the highest drafted player not to sign since Kumar Rocker (Mets, 10th overall) and Jud Fabian (Red Sox, 40th overall) in 2021 and the highest drafted high schooler to go unsigned since Carter Stewart (Braves, 8th overall) back in 2018. With second baseman Emilien Pitre (2nd round, Rays), shortstop Grant Smith (undrafted, signed with White Sox), and third baseman Mitchell Daly (undrafted, signed with Angels) all gone to pro ball, the infield is wide open for Bell to jump in and grab an every day role right away. His glove will go a long way towards winning that job, as his slick actions in the dirt, quick transfer, and accurate arm are all ready to play an above average shortstop at the SEC level right now. While the bat isn't quite as far along, he has massive upside at the plate that could be unlocked in Lexington. A switch hitter, the Chicago-area product has truly elite bat speed that could help him grow into above average power in time, though he hasn't tapped it consistently in games just yet as he's still filling out his 6'1" frame. Bell can also get tied up against higher level stuff and will have a lot to prove against SEC pitching in 2025, so the Kentucky coaching staff may not know exactly what they're going to get from him in year one. The glove will buy a ton of patience for the bat, and his upside at the plate is undeniable. If year one is up and down, he could be a star by year two, where he'll be draft eligible as an older incoming freshman.
2. (#58) SS Charlie Bates, Stanford (2027)
Undrafted
I have Charlie Bates ranked higher than many other outlets, and I think he has a shot to be a real star at Stanford. Unlike Kentucky, Stanford returns a crowded infield picture, but Bates has what it takes to break through in some capacity quickly. He glides around the infield with good body control and an accurate arm that can throw from multiple angles, which helps it play above its average pure strength. While it should be enough to get the job done at shortstop in college, he may slide over to second base in pro ball where he could be an above average defender. Beyond a versatile glove, Bates will bring in sneaky upside with the bat. He has primarily been known as a hit over power type to this point, showing an advanced approach at the plate that helps him make plenty of line drive contact around the field including against stronger competition on the showcase circuit. While he's not huge, there's some projection in his 6'1", 190 pound frame, and Bates has some serious bat speed that could help him grow into average power down the line. That's as well-rounded a profile as you're going to find, especially as a left handed hitter. The power may not come immediately, but his advanced hitting ability will help him catch up to ACC pitching right away and he could be a real star by years two and three. To top it off, he's a local kid straight out of Palo Alto High school. The profile is actually pretty similar to Bell above him on this list, though Bell is a better defender with more projection while Bates is more advanced at the same stage.
3. (#91) OF Garrett Shull, Oklahoma State (2026)
Undrafted
When I think Oklahoma State baseball, I think of offensive firepower. The Cowboys have never been short on big bats and Garrett Shull will ensure that continues into the next era of baseball in Stillwater, where he might have the loudest bat of any incoming freshman in the country. Oklahoma State lost two of their best hitters in Carson Benge (1st round, Mets) and Zach Ehrhard (4th round, Red Sox), so Shull will look to help plug that hole alongside one of the program's best hitters in recent memory in Nolan Schubart. Listed at 6'1", 205 pounds, Shull isn't the biggest man on the field but he's certainly one of the most physical, with a filled out frame that would look at home on a big league field right now. A switch hitter, he generates great leverage from both sides of the plate if with a bit more bat speed from the left side, showing above average power for now that could grow into plus as he learns to turn on the ball in the air more often. For now, the swings are more direct and geared towards line drives, which have served him well against strong pitching on the prep showcase circuit. Beyond the power, he's a mature hitter that works at bats effectively and should have little issue transitioning to Big 12 pitching in short order. Between the present power and innate feel for hitting, I'm confident he'll make an impact from day one. Shull isn't much of a defender, with fringy speed that may slow down further as he ages (though that shouldn't be an issue at school), and profiles best in an outfield corner. His arm strength gives him a shot to play a solid right field, and he could play first base if he needs another route into the lineup. Either way, if you can hit, they find a place for you. Shull will want to find that place quickly because he'll be draft eligible again as a sophomore in 2026, set to turn 21 right around that draft. It's been a few years since Oklahoma State has had a homegrown star from northern Oklahoma, with the Tulsa-area trio of Cade Cabbiness, Bryce Osmond, and Brett Standlee coming to mind if you stretch the definition of star a little bit, so Shull's hailing from Enid adds another fun dimension.
4. (#94) SS Sawyer Farr, Texas A&M (2026)
Undrafted
Sawyer Farr may be a bit slower to develop than names like Charlie Bates or Garrett Shull, but he has just as much if not more upside than anybody on this list. Texas A&M returns a crowded infield picture with only starting shortstop Ali Camarillo (12th round, A's) and utility man Travis Chestnut (graduated) gone from last year's iteration and Penn transfer Wyatt Henseler expected to earn a starting job as well. Farr is a lanky, 6'4" string bean that has begun to fill out his tall frame but still has plenty of projection remaining. The switch hitter gets great extension at the plate and is growing into more power as he gets stronger, sitting at average for now with the chance to get to above average. Similarly, his long arms and the challenges that come with building two swings have caused his contact ability to be a bit inconsistent to this point, which may make it tough to match up against SEC pitching right away. Farr will put his head down and get to work refining the rough edges of his offensive game while continuing to put the work in in the weight room to generate more power, and by year two he could be an impact hitter in the middle of the Aggie lineup. Meanwhile, like other names on this list, his glove is strong enough that it could push him into the lineup quicker even as his bat develops. He's a plus runner with all of the tools you look for in a starting shortstop, including the requisite explosiveness, range, glovework, and arm to be an above average defender at the six. I mentioned the crowded infield, but the one hole does happen to be at shortstop and Farr is one of the only players on the roster who can pick it at a similar level to Camarillo. Like Bell and Shull above him on this list, he'll be eligible again as a sophomore in 2026 though unlike Shull (and like Bell) his ceiling is farther away.
5. (#102) OF/LHP Noah Franco, Texas Christian (2027)
Undrafted
Until very recently, it never even crossed TCU coach Kirk Saarloos' mind that he'd have Noah Franco on campus for the 2025 season. Initially a member of the high school class of 2025 and projected first round pick for that draft, he reclassified last summer to the class of 2024 and immediately jumped into that first round conversation, where the money would have been too much to pass up. Unfortunately an unremarkable spring dropped him out of the day one conversation, and instead he'll head to Fort Worth to rebuilt his stock as a two-way player. Franco already has a very physical 6'3" frame, which he began to fill out in IMG Academy's first class facilities and will continue to do so at TCU. For now, he's a hit over power type with a long track record of hitting against top showcase competition and the ability to control the zone and use the whole field. He won't turn 19 until near the end of his freshman season, but is already one of the more advanced hitters stepping onto a campus anywhere in the country. He hasn't learned to leverage his power consistently in games just yet, but given his size and projection, it's only a matter of time before he grows into at least average if not above average or better pop. If it all comes together, he's a potential above average hitter with plus power at peak, which is why he had first round buzz for a while. The TCU staff will look to get him back moving in that direction after he looked more ordinary at the plate last spring. His defensive profile is much closer to Garrett Shull than Sawyer Farr, with average speed that figures to tick down as he ages (though again like Shull, that probably won't be an issue in college). He has experience at first base or the outfield corners, but his bat will be his ticket to regular playing time. Meanwhile, Franco actually has a shot to earn time on the mound first. The fastball sits in the low 90's at present and touches 93, which isn't overwhelming velocity but provides a nice baseline. He has good feel for a deep slider and shows a solid changeup, giving him a well-rounded arsenal, and he repeats his athletic delivery well for above average command by incoming freshman standards. It's not the world's most exciting pitching profile, but a 6'3" lefty with three quality pitches he can throw for strikes will play at any school. The pitching profile brings a higher floor, while his bat has a higher ceiling. In all, TCU did not lose much talent to the draft, with only three players (all pitchers) signing plus star LF/DH Logan Maxwell transferring to Arkansas, not to mention a strong recruiting class, so it may be difficult to break into playing time on either side of the ball initially.
6. (#106) C Hunter Carns, Florida State (2026)
Drafted – 20th round (pick #614), Arizona Diamondbacks
Florida State is getting an extremely exciting new catcher in Hunter Carns, and he has a shot to jump straight into the lineup. While last year's starting catcher Jaxson West returns, no other catchers do and Carns is a better hitter than West. Dartmouth transfer Nathan Cmeyla and fellow freshman Josh Reiter round out the catching corps, so expect Carns to log plenty of innings behind the plate. Even if he doesn't win the starting job there, he's significantly more athletic than most catchers and his plus speed will allow him to play anywhere in the outfield, so there are many avenues to get his bat in the lineup. He's a streaky hitter who has struggled at times against top competition, but streaky means you get hot too and when Carns is hot, he's red hot. He also packs plenty of power into his 6' frame, with a quick barrel and natural loft in his right handed swing to give him above average pop. The swing can get stiff at times and he gets in trouble when it gets too grooved, but I fully expect the Florida State staff to iron it out. The Jacksonville native is extremely old for an incoming freshman, the oldest player on this list in fact, and will turn 20 in April. That will make him both draft eligible and age appropriate for the 2026 draft, so he may only spend two years in Tallahassee and will want to put things together quickly. If he does, he's a potential fringe average hitter with above average power and excellent athleticism behind the plate, with plenty of upside on both sides of the ball given said athleticism.
7. (#110) OF Sawyer Strosnider, Texas Christian (2026)
Undrafted
Noah Franco may have the more famous name, but Sawyer Strosnider is every bit of the prospect his Californian counterpart is and may have even more upside. It's a very different profile from Franco, and it makes TCU one of two teams to put two players on this list. Much like Hunter Carns one name above him on this list, Strosnider is an athletic specimen that could succeed at virtually any sport he wanted to, and he did indeed star in both basketball and the high jump at Brock High School just west of Weatherford. On the baseball field, that translates into a whippy left handed swing that produces above average power from a very pull-heavy approach that worked against rural North Texas high school pitching. With projection remaining on his 6'2" frame, he has room to easily grow into plus power in time, though he'll have to iron out that approach and learn to use the whole field effectively. Strosnider has had inconsistent performance against higher level pitching and may face a steep learning curve in the Big 12, and with much of TCU's offensive firepower returning from a year ago, he'll have to work hard to get up to speed and earn playing time right away. His plus speed and plus arm (like Franco, he's been up to 93 on the mound) will help pick up some of the slack from his hit tool, with the ability to play anywhere in the outfield at an above average level. Strosnider has massive upside if he can become a more balanced hitter and could become the best player on this list. For now, he'll focus on earning playing time in Fort Worth, where he'll turn 20 just after the close of his freshman season and will be draft eligible as a sophomore.
8. (#118) SS Adam Haight, Oregon State (2027)
Drafted – 20th round (pick #593), New York Mets
After the tragic death of the Pac-12, Oregon State is set to compete as an independent school in 2025 which I personally expected to affect recruitment. Instead, they went out and pillaged the city of Seattle by bringing in superstar Washington transfer Aiva Arquette and expected day two draftee and Cedar Park Christian standout Adam Haight, while also landing a name on the incoming freshman pitcher list that will come out soon. After losing both starting middle infielders from last year, including Guardians first overall pick Travis Bazzana, getting those two shortstops onto campus is a huge win. I'm a big fan of Haight's and he ranks higher on my list than you may see him on others. He was one of the most advanced hitters in the Pacific Northwest last year with a sound approach and a simple, repeatable right handed swing that helped him get to balls all over the zone. That gives him every opportunity to snag that vacant second base role right away. The power is below average right now, but Haight has projection remaining on his skinny 6'2" frame and leverages the ball well, so strength gains in Corvallis could get him closer to average power in due time. He's not much of a runner but has the requisite instincts and glovework to handle any infield position at the college level. In pro ball, he may move to third base especially if he slows down any further. While he's listed as a hitter only on Oregon State's roster, he has been up to 93 with his fastball and gets big riding action on the pitch while adding a decent slider. Unlike most players on this list, the Shoreline, Washington native is actually young for the class, not old, and has plenty of time to fill out and grow into the player he could be. I'm bullish on Haight's upside, especially if he can tack on twenty or so pounds over the next couple of years.
9. (#125) SS Owen Paino, Mississippi (2027)
Undrafted
Owen Paino has long been one of the most famous names in the high school class of 2024, earning significant first round buzz early in his high school career. His star faded a bit over the last calendar year-plus leading up to the draft, and he'll end up in Oxford after failing to receive as much day one interest as he would have liked. Ole Miss returns much of its infield innings from last year and landed Luke Cheng in the transfer portal from Illinois State, though none can out-hit Paino by much if at all and he should be quick to earn playing time for head coach Mike Bianco. As evidenced by an extensive track record against top high school showcase competition going back years, he's an advanced hitter that knows both how to use the whole field and how to turn on the ball for power to the pull side. Listed at 6'3", he has a very physical frame that not only looks like it belongs right away in the SEC, it wouldn't look out of place in the majors. Despite that, he's more strong than explosive and the power is closer to average for now, but he could easily get to above average as he continues to get stronger and learns to leverage the ball out to all fields more consistently. He's heady on the dirt and has a shot to play shortstop at Ole Miss, though his size may push him to third base in the long run if he slows down at all. It's a very well-rounded profile that probably has more floor than upside at this point, but expect him to be a three year performer for the Rebels who can make an impact right away.
10. (#126) C Cade Arrambide, Louisiana State (2027)
Undrafted
LSU is no stranger to recruiting some of the best prep catching talent in the country, and Cade Arrambide gives them an extremely fun profile behind the plate to boot. Additionally, he has a great chance to jump straight into significant playing time as every single catcher from last year's roster is gone, leaving the position wide open. Mississippi JuCo transfer Blaise Priester will give Arrambide a run for his money back there, while Dayton transfer Edward Yamin is the only other catcher listed on the roster and he played mostly first base back in Ohio anyways. Arrambide is as explosive as they come back there. He whips the bat around like a toothpick with a sturdy 6'2" frame and strong forearms that translate to plus raw power at the plate. There is a ton of movement in his operation, most notably a deep hitch in his right handed swing that delays his trigger a bit and could make it tough to catch up to SEC pitching out of the gate. It can affect his ability to get to his gargantuan power against better pitching and will be a point of emphasis during his first fall and offseason in Baton Rouge. That explosiveness translates behind the plate, where he just might have an 80 grade cannon for a right arm. The Houston-area product moves extremely well behind the plate with sneaky athleticism and outstanding body control, giving him the ability to not only throw from all angles, but get power on his throws while doing so. That combination of body control and arm strength allows him to throw runners out on pitches he has no business sending back to second base, such as this one last summer. The glovework itself is a little rougher and will need refinement in Baton Rouge, but I fully expect him to make the necessary adjustments to get close enough to average in that regard. He may spend some time at other positions while he splits time with Priester back there in 2025 but he could be the next star catcher in purple in gold soon enough.
11. (#129) OF Ty Head, North Carolina State (2026)
Undrafted
Turnover has become the norm in Raleigh, and 2025 will be no different with what looks to be a new-look offense almost entirely up and down the offense. With a lack of experienced high impact transfers on the offensive side of the ball as well, Ty Head has a great opportunity to grab everyday playing time right out of the gate. One of the most advanced prep hitters in Florida, he'll be plenty ready for ACC pitching as well. Head has a sublime approach at the plate that puts him on base with great regularity, using an all fields approach to make plenty of contact. Coming in at a lanky 6'3", he lacks the pure strength to produce more than fringy power at this point but could grow into average power in time as he gets on the NC State conditioning program. An above average runner, he has great instincts in the outfield and could slide into the center field role in Raleigh right away, with a shot to continue doing so in pro ball in the long term. The power will be nice to have in the long run if he ever grows into it, especially in pro ball, but for now the hit/defense combination is exactly what pushes freshman into the lineup on day one. He's very old for an incoming freshman like many other players on this list so he'll be draft eligible again as a sophomore, so breaking into that lineup and growing into some impact will be key for his 2026 draft stock.
12. (#132) OF Derek Curiel, Louisiana State (2026)
Undrafted
As arguably the pre-eminent recruiters in all of college baseball at this point, it was perhaps a bit of a surprise to see that LSU did not land a top-nine position player prospect, but they made up for it by landing #10 and #12 and therefore joining TCU as one of two schools with two names on this list (they'll also be well represented on the pitching list, which is coming out next). Derek Curiel has followed a somewhat similar path to Owen Paino in that he has long been one of the most famous names in the prep class of 2024, earning first round consideration early in his high school career alongside Paino. Long one of the most advanced hitters on the West Coast, he has a long track record of performance against top competition stretching years back. Curiel employs a loose, effortless left handed swing that he whips through the zone with great extension, helping him use the whole field effectively and fill the gaps with extra base hits. Standing 6'2", he's very skinny and lacks power at this point, while I'm not sure how much added strength his narrow frame will support. He'll likely always be hit over power, which will mean high on-base percentages both at LSU and beyond. Defensively, his above average speed and strong instincts will help him slot into center field at some point in his LSU career and potentially play the position in pro ball too. His advanced hitting ability will carry him towards the top couple rounds in 2026, when he'll be eligible as a sophomore, and he could push his way back into day one if he shows some power. The profile overall reminds me of Nationals prospect and former first round pick Robert Hassell.
Others
13. (#133) OF Terrence Kiel II, Texas A&M (2027)
14. (#138) C James Nunnallee, Virginia (2027)
15. (#145) OF D'Marion Terrell, Auburn (2027)
16. (#146) C Anderson French, Virginia Tech (2027)
17. (#154) SS Erik Parker, Georgia (2027)
18. (#156) C Burke Mabeus, Oregon (2026)
19. (#157) SS Manny Marin, Tennessee (2026)
20. (#158) OF Jace Souza, Texas Tech (2027)
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